Isaac W. Woodburn, the present trusty and reliable sheriff of Lyon County, and who still keeps his fine farm about three miles east of Rock Rapids, was born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1856, a son of Augustus and Harriett (Tyrrell) Woodburn.

The father was born in Pennsylvania, and the mother in Connecticut. They came to Iowa from Fillmore County, Minnesota, in 1876, to settle on a farm comprising a section of land, which they had bought the previous year. And they still live in Lyon county, a happy, prosperous and honored family. Our subject's father and mother now live in Rock Rapids.

Isaac W. Woodburn was one of three children born to his parents, two of whom are yet living. He was always at home and was reared to a farm life, receiving his education in the neighboring schools, and was prepared to play an honest and useful part in the drama of the world's work and progress.

He was married January 12, 1879, to Miss Eda Rosebrook, a native of Wankesha County, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Hiram and Nancy (Hall) Rosebrook. They were natives of New York, and were among the very early settlers of Wisconsin. He died in Colorado and she in Rock Rapids. Mrs. Woodburn was one of a family of nine children, and is herself the mother of seven children, six of whom are now living as follows: Clyde, Dell, Roy, Doris, Paul, Ralph.

Mr. Woodburn was married in Minnesota, but immediately removed to his present home, where his father now owns upwards of eight hundred acres of land. In politics he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Rutherford B. Hayes. In his own township he has filled various local offices from time to time, and in 1901 was elected sheriff of the county, and it is safe to say no man ever placed in that important office has given more general satisfaction than has Mr. Woodburn.

He has a happy faculty of making friends even after serving papers on those who have been his enemies. They see and know he has a heart as "big as all outdoors," and is sorry for anyone in trouble. About one of his first experiences was to go after a crazy man, who carried a huge and murderous-looking corn knife, and was looking for his Satanic majesty. When Mr. Woodburn approached him with the request to come along he received a blood-curdling look and the reply: "I know you, but I haven't my knife just now: I have helped you lots You are Satan." The sheriff brought him in all right, and is now the butt of many a joke as, "Satan No. 2."

All the uncles of Mr. Woodburn were in the Civil war. The Woodburn family comes of English blood, and has given many notable men to this country. He is a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife belongs to the Christian church, and is one of the beloved wives and mothers of the community, of whom if there were more the world would be far better off. A portrait of Mr. Woodburn appears on another page. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, No. 406, of Rock Rapids, and Chapter of Rock Rapids.